Environmental Issues

The demand for energy is growing tremendously, and this calls upon introduction of new energy sources or improvement on the current sources. An example of such energy source is coal. Coal has been used for a long time, and technological improvement has resulted in clean coal. Clean coal is a word that is used to define technologies and methods that are intended to reduce the environmental impact of utilization of coal as a form of energy source (Coal Can Do It, 2010). These efforts and strategies may include the use of gasification, chemically washing impurities and minerals from the coal, removal of sulfur dioxide, and other appropriate technologies that are aimed at capturing carbon dioxide from the flue gas. The term clean coal has predominantly been discussed in the cycles of politics and environmental agencies with differing views. However, this paper shows that the use of clean coal is beneficial to the society and environment. Some points that show importance of clean coal can be viewed in terms of economic, environment and waste, and these points have been extensively discussed.

Environment awareness is an important issue that many governments and organizations are championing to either preserve or correct past environmental approaches. The use of clean coal can easily cut the amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. The use technologies ensure that contaminants, high levels of impurities and other pollutants are processed into an inexpensive, clean, low polluting source of energy. Moreover, the demand for electricity is skyrocketing the use of coal can mitigate consequences associated with hydroelectricity production. Americas Power (2010) states that in 1975, 44 of power was supplied by coal and this supply has grown to 54 by the year 2000. Since the demand for coal is increasing, it is paramount to provide clean coal rather than unclean coal to sustain the power requirements. Clean coal combats global warming because it reduces the amount of green house gas produced, and the use of clean coal as drastically and continuously cut emissions from coal. Global warming requires pursuing alterative and greener energy, and thus, any technology or means that can even modestly aid in fighting against global warming should be encouraged. Thus, the use of clean coal is aimed at ensuring the amounts of emissions directed to global warming are reduced (Coal Can Do It, 2010).

Use of coal is associated with emissions while the use of clean coal is associated with clean coal waste. Clean coal waste is better compared to coal emissions. However, opponents of clean coal state that the clean coal merely transfers emissions into another form, which is solid waste  a superior alternative the major factor that is associated with coals massive carbon emissions is global warming. Solid waste from clean coal is not a major concern in regards to global warming since the solid waste does not emit greenhouse gases (Coal Can Do It, 2010). The hazards associated with clean coal waste can easily be contained compared to coal emissions. This may be seen as clean coal waste analyzed from a theoretical perspective, but there is no enough reasons in that solid waste cannot be regulated and the risks controlled. Thus, risks may occur because of human management shortcomings but not on clean coal waste hence, these problems can be solved through incorporating stickier regulation. Moreover, the clean coal waste can be reused. Either the byproducts of clean coal process are stored and reused on the secondary chemical sector or the methane gas that is produced is re-introduced production of energy (Clean Coal Technologies, 2010). Additionally, the sequestered carbon dioxide form coal can be utilized in growing of algae for biofuel. Algae operate like other plant matter, and utilize carbon dioxide in photosynthesis, and hence, sequestered carbon dioxide can be used to fertilize and grow algae. The resultant algae are then used as the organic matter in creation of biofuel. Numerous companies such as Canadian Global Green Solutions and Green Fuel have constructed photo-bioreactors (PBR) that quickly converts carbon dioxide into algae, which is easily synthesized into biofuel. Hence, a convenient approach can be used t deal with sequestered carbon dioxide and other wastes from clean coal.

The amount of coal is abundant and it is cheap to make it clean. Some opponents argue that clean is partially developed compound with the high cost of production means that it will take a long time before its impact can be felt in either the economy or global warming. Americas Power (2010) state that the use of coal to produce electricity is less than a third of the cost of production of energy from other fuels. The price of oil is soaring, dependency on foreign oil, energy shortages, and thus alternative sources of energy should be utilized. Vast quantities of coal are available, and utilizing this coal could ensure for energy security and reduce cost for energy (Levin 2008). Moreover, the use of clean coal provides a constant base-load compared to other renewable. For example, solar and wind energy sources are commonly used but are not always available. This is different from clean coal because it provides a base load power base load power is steady, constant, and it is dependable throughout the door (Americas Power, 2010). Levin (2008) argue that electric cars will increase the demand for clean coal, and this could reduce the dependency on foreign oil. Thus, the extra electricity should be generated from the burning clean coal.

Demand for energy is skyrocketing and one of the strategies is utilization of clean coal as an alternative. Clean coal s a term that is used to refer to technologies and methods, which reduces the impact of coal energy to the environment and society. Clean energy is beneficial to the society because of its environmental, economic, and waste contributions. Environmentally, it reduces global warming through control of emissions, from the waste perspective, clean coal produces solid waste that can easily be collected and reused benefiting the society. Moreover, economically, it reduces dependency on foreign oil, reduces cost of energy, vast amounts of coal are available, and generally improvement on clean coal production results into efficient future. The debate on clean coal should not exist because even if the clean coal is not championed, many industries will continue utilizing coal in production of energy. Thus, the use of clean coal should be encouraged and sustained in improving economies and the society.